The Federal Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to motorists and other road users on the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to comply with safety regulations or risk the closure of the road.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Monday, September 21, during an inspection tour of the ongoing highway project.
Dare said the directive followed concerns raised by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over persistent safety violations, vandalism and other illegal activities threatening lives and infrastructure along the route.
He warned motorists against overspeeding, illegal parking by trucks and articulated vehicles, unauthorised U-turns, the use of motorcycles and tricycles, roadside trading and other activities capable of causing accidents or damaging the highway.
According to him, some motorists have been driving at speeds of up to 120km/h on sections where construction is still ongoing, despite a clearly displayed 30km/h speed limit.
Dare said lives were being lost frequently because of traffic violations, warning that the government would have no option but to shut the road if compliance does not improve within two weeks.
“We have said your speed on the coastal road must not be more than 30km/h. It is well written everywhere. But people will come here and go at 100km/h. This cannot continue,” he said.
“Lives are being lost on the coastal road, almost every other day. Within two weeks, if there’s no improvement on all these issues, then we have no option but to come back and shut down this road.”
The Federal Government’s warning puts motorists and other road users on notice as authorities move to tighten enforcement of safety measures along the Lagos section of the strategic coastal highway.
